What Happens if a Nuclear Weapon Goes Off in Space? - Scientific American
Jun 13, 2024 · Depending on a nuclear explosion’s size and altitude, its EMP can wreak havoc on the ground and in orbit, potentially damaging or disrupting unprotected electronics in spacecraft and in devices...
New details emerge of Russia’s potential nuclear space weapon
May 3, 2024 · WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is taking to the bully pulpit to voice its conviction that Russia is moving to put a nuclear weapon in space designed to destroy satellites — with a senior...
Nukes in space: a bad idea in the 1960s – an even worse one now
Apr 5, 2024 · As an expert on space and nuclear weapons, I find these reports concerning but not surprising because nuclear anti-satellite weapons have been proposed since the cold war in the 1960s.
Militarisation of space - Wikipedia
Both the United States and the Soviet Union began to develop anti-satellite weapons to blind or destroy each other's satellites. Directed-energy weapons, kamikaze -style satellites, as well as orbital nuclear explosives were researched with varying levels of success.
Nuclear Detonations in Space: Reducing Risks to Low Earth Orbit ...
Nov 5, 2024 · Upgrading existing military LEO satellite constellations through radiation hardening will reduce any adversary’s expected benefits from detonating nuclear weapons in space. Doing so will require supplementing DoD efforts with private innovation to develop new technologies and cut costs for radiation hardening and satellite launches.
Nuclear weapons in space are bad news for the entire planet
Mar 19, 2024 · Recent reports about Russia’s desires to put a nuclear weapon in space have sparked fears about future access to space — and the violation of decades-old treaties.
US, Russia set for a showdown at UN over nuclear weapons in space
Apr 23, 2024 · The United States and Russia are set to face off over nuclear weapons in space on Wednesday at the United Nations Security Council, which is due to vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution calling...
How could nuclear weapons be used in space? - Financial Times
Feb 25, 2024 · Russia is developing a new space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon, according to intelligence shared by the US government with Congress and European allies. Few details are available, so it...
The Outer Space Treaty at a Glance - Arms Control Association
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in outer space, prohibits military activities on celestial bodies, and details legally binding rules governing the peaceful exploration and use of space.
Nukes in space: What have Russia and the United States said?
Feb 21, 2024 · Unidentified sources in the United States say Russia is developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon but President Vladimir Putin said he opposes nuclear weapons in space and Moscow has...